Telephone subscriber&#39;s ringer control



Jilly 20, 1943. c. HANNAFORIS 2 v TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERS RINGER CONTROL 2Sh etS Sh'e et 1 .F'iled July 25, 1941 m 0 R m. u 6.

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Patented July 20, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERSRINGER CONTROL Glenn M. Hannaford, Toledo, Ohio; Marie L.

Hannaford executrix of said Cleon M. Hannaford, deceased ApplicationJuly 25, 1941, Serial No. 494,062

12 Claims.

whenever the subscriber or user does not wish to be disturbed byincoming telephone calls.

The invention comprehends the provision of 1 means adaptable for usewith the conventional subscriber's telephone set and solely undercontrol of the user of the telephone set for damping or silencing theaudible ringer service incident with each incoming telephone call.

The invention has for an object the provisions of means arranged forincorporation in a subscribers telephone set of conventional design fordamping or silencing the ringer device in the set without interfering ordisrupting telephone wiring circuits and without interfering in any waywith either incoming or outgoing telephone calls.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means arranged forapplication to the telephone set housing whereby the bell striker maybequickly and effectively biased to a non-operative or non-ringingposition whereby audible sounds of the telephone receiving set ringerdeviceare rendered inaudible.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of means of thischaracter arranged to hold the bell striker in a position where it isprevented from movement or in a position where it is permitted limitedcushioned movement to render a vibratory audible sound in lieu of theaudible ringing bell sound.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawings of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a telephone receiving set;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line22 of Figure 1 showing one form of my invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 ofFigure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the control device ininoperative position;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a modified form of theinvention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially I on the line 6--6 ofFigure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 'l'l ofFigure 5;

Figure 8 is a sectional view showing a further form of my invention;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 99 ofFigure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line Ifil 0 ofFigure 8;

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view showing the portion of thearrangement of Figure 2;

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view showing the portion of'thearrangement ofFigure 5;

Figure 13 is an enlarged sectional view showingthe portion of thearrangement of Figure 8.

While I have illustrated the arrangement of myinvention as embodied in asubscribers tele phone set of conventional design, it is to beunderstood that I contemplate the use of my invention with any mechanismwhere it may be found to have utility.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly- Figures 1 through4 inclusive and Figure 11, I have illustrated a subscribers telephoneset of the conventional cradle type wherein nuwhen supported upon thehousing as shown in Figure 1. The member being associated with aswitching means for connecting the hand set in service when the latteris removed from the base or housing I0. Positioned on the forwardportion of the housing 10 is the conventional indexing dial 13. Thelower portion of housing I!) is closed by means of a base plate 5forming with the housing [0 a complete enclosure for the telephonemechanism, the base plate having supporting pads 14.

As particularly shown in Figures 1, 2 and 11, the base plate l5 supportsa ringer mechanism which is, inclusive of a pair of spaced gongs orbells 16 between which is positioned a striker I! carried upon theextremity of a rod l8 which is pivoted upon a frame for vibratory oroscillatory movement. The frame 20 carries a pair of electromagnets 2|which cooperate with an armature 22 carried upon the end of the rod |8for vibrating rod l8 and striker H to cause the striker to move betweenand alternately strike the bells I6.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and 11a wall of the housing I!) is bored to receive a circular fitting 25, thefitting having a threaded portion 26 to receive a locking nut 21 forsecuring the fitting in the wall of the housing ID. The fitting iscentrally bored to receive a cylindrical member 29 which is slidablypositioned in the fitting and is provided at the extremity projectingexteriorly of the housing H] with a manipulating knob 39 which is heldin place by a screw 3| or other suitable means, The cylindrical member29 terminates adjacent the bell striker and is provided with an element32 preferably formed of sound damping material, as for example, rubber,cork, or the like. The element 32 is preferably formed with acylindrical exterior and a cone shaped interior recess 34 which formtapered wall portions 35, the recess being of suficient size to receiveand substantially surround the striker I! with the wall portions 35arranged to urgently engage between the exterior wall of each bell l6and the exterior portion of the striker when the element is in completeengagement with the striker IT as shown in Figure 2.

The cylindrical member 29 is provided with spaced peripheral grooves 31,38 and 39, and the fitting 25 has a lateral bore 40 in which is posiftioned a ball 4| which is at all times urged toward the cylindricalmember 29 by means of a coil spring 42, the latter being held in thebore by swaging a portion of the fitting as shown at 43.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows: When theparts are in the position shown in Figure 4 with the manipulating knob30 moved to its outermost position, the ball 4| is resiliently urgedinto the groove 39 and holds the element 32 completely out of engagementwith the bell striker II. In this condition incoming service rings arenot prevented and the telephone ringer mechanism functions in the normalmanner. Should the telephone subscriber not wish to be disturbed" bytelephone ringer i service, it is only necessary for him to move themanipulating knob 39 and cylindrical member 29 inwardly until thestriker is received in the recess 34' in the element 32 as shown inFigure 2, in which position the ball 4| is resiliently r urged intoengagement with groove 3'! in the cylindrical member 29 to hold theelement 32 in full and complete engagement with the bell striker so asto prevent movement of the striker and hence prevent audible bellringing. This elimination of movement of the bell striker does notinterfere with the incoming telephone service as energization by thecentral telephone station of the subscribers ringer mechanism willfunction in the normal manner but the subscriber has prevented audiblesound of the bell mechanism through the engagement of the bell strikerby means of element 32.

In this form of the invention should the subscriber wish to merelyreduce or partially damp out the audible sound produced by a striker andbell mechanism, the manipulating knob 30 and cylindrical member 29 maybe moved to the position in which the third groove 38 is in engagementwith the ball 4| which movement partially withdraws the element 32 fromcomplete engagement with the bell striker. In this position the taperedwalls 35 of the element 32 do not completely engage the striker, and inthe event of an incoming call, the central service station energizingthe electro-magnets 2| of subscribers ringing mechanism, actuates thearmature 22 and rod |8 consequently causing a limited movement of thebell striker against the walls 35 of element 32, the vibratory movementimparted to the walls of element 32 under the oscillatory action of thestriker results in a buzzing sound in lieu of the normal sharp audiblering of the bells. Thus, in accordance with this form of the invention,the telephone subscriber has complete control of the audibility of thetelephone ringer service without interfering with the normal telephonecircuits. The subscriber may thus have unrestricted bell ringer service,a limited audibilit of this service, or the complete elimination ofaudible sound of the ringer mechanism.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 through 7, inclusive andFigure 12, the wall of the housing I0 is bored to receive a fittinghaving a threaded portion 5| which receives a locking nut 52 to hold thefitting securely to the housing wall, The fitting 59 is centrally boredto receive a thin walled sleeve 54 having a threadlike or spiral slot 53formed therein. A portion of the sleeve projects exteriorly of thefitting 50 and is secured to a manipulating knob 56 by a pin 5'! orother suitable means. Slidably arranged within the sleeve 54 is acylindrical member 59 provided with a laterally projecting pin 50 whichextends into the spiral slot 53 formed in the sleeve 54. Secured to theinner extremity of the cylindrical member 59 as by means of a threadedfitting 6| is an element 62 of substantially the same configuration asthe element 32 described in connection with the form of the inventionshown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and which is arranged for engagementwith the striker H as shown in Figure 5. The cylindrical member isprovided throughout a portion of its length with a longitudinal groove63 and the fitting is formed with a projection 64 which extends into thelongitudinal groove in the cylindrical member so as to prevent rotationof the cylindrical member. The sleeve 54 is provided with acircumferential groove 65 and the fitting 50 is provided with aprojection in the form of a screw 81 arranged to extend into thecircumferential groove 65 to prevent relative longitudinal movement ofthe sleeve but permitting rotational movement thereof.

In this form of the invention, rotation of the knob 56 causes rotationof the thin walled sleeve 54 and through the medium of the spiral slot53 and the pin 65 causes longitudinal slidable movement of thecylindrical member 59 and the element 52. Thus by rotating the knob inone direction the element 62 may be moved into complete engagement withthe bell striker I1 and prevent audible sound of the ringer mechanism.Rotation of the manipulating knob in the opposite direction completelywithdraws the element 62 out of the locus of movement of the striker topermit normal audible bell ringing service.

A further form of the invention is shown in Figures 8 through 10,inclusive and Figure 13, wherein the wall of the housing I5 is bored toreceive a circular fitting 15 which has a threaded portion 16 arrangedto receive a lock. nut 11 to hold the fitting in the telephone housingwall. The fitting i5 is provided with a vertical slot 18 throughwhichextends a sheet metal member 19 of the bell crank lever formationand which is pivoted upon the fitting by means of a pin or shaft 80. Aportion of the sheet metal member l9 extending within the housinghassecured at wardly and is formed with a manipulating finger piece 85 forconvenience of manipulation. As shown in Figure 9 a portion of the levermember within the fitting I is formed with a raised central portion 86.The fitting is formed with a lateral bore to receive a ball 81 which isresile -iently urged into engagement with the lever member under theinfluence of, a coil'spring 88,

the latter being held within the fitting by swag ing over a portion ofthe fitting as shown at 89 As shown in Figure 8 the position of theparts in full lines, the element is positioned in engage ment with thebell striker i1" andin this position the ball 81 engages the levermember above the raised portion 86 to resiliently maintain the element3! in'engag ement with the striker and thus prevent "movement of thestriker and eliminate audible bellsounds. .When the subscriber desiresto establish audibility of his ringer service, he grasps the fingerpiece 85 and swings the lever member 19 in a clockwise direction asviewed in Figure 8 the ball 81 overriding the raised portion 86 engageslever member below the raised portion which resiliently holds theelement 8| out of engagement with the striker mechanism.

It is to be noted that in the forms of the invention herein describedthe telephone subscriber has complete control of the audibility of histelephone ringer service and that this is attained without interferencewith any of the telephone circuits or without interfering with any callsthat he should wish to make to the outside.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand difierent arrange- 'ments may be made other than is hereindisclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, theinvention comprehending all varia tions thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A bell ringer control for telephone subscribers set including ahousing, a member carried by said housing and relatively movablethereto, an element carried by said member having a frusto-conicalrecess arranged to receive and retain the bell striker in non-ringingposition, and means arranged exteriorly of said housing for manuallymanipulating said member.

2. A bell ringer control for telephone subscribers set including ahousing, a supporting means carried by said housing, a member carried bysaid supporting means and relatively movable thereto, a non-metallicelement carried by said member and having a recess formed thereinarranged to receive and retain the bell striker in non-ringing position,means arranged exteriorly of said housing for manually manipulating saidmember, and adjustable means associated with said member for urging saidnonmetallic means into or out of engagement with said bell striker.

3. A control for a telephone subscriber's ringer service comprising asupport, amember carried by and relatively movable with respect to saidsupport; means including a non-metallic element associated with saidmember having a frusto-conical recess arranged to receive and retain abell ringer in non-ringing position, said member being manually operableto move said element into or out of engagement with the bell ringer.

4. 'A control for a telephone subscriber's ringer device in combinationwith -a subscribers telephone mechanism including an enclosure therefor,a member mounted for slidable movement with respect to said enclosure,means accessible exteriorly of said enclosure for manipulating saidmember, said memberhaving means associated therewith and engageable witha bell striker for retaining said striker in non-ringing position,

and-spring means associated with said slidably mounted member forresiliently holding said striker engaging means in striker engaging positionl 5. A control for telephone subscriber's ringer device incombination with a subscribers telephone mechanism including anenclosure there for, a member relatively movable with respect tosaidenclosure, said member being arranged for manipulation exteriorlyofsaid enclosure, nonmetallio means associated with said member andformed with a frusto conical recess arranged to receive a bell strikerfor retaining the striker in non-ringing position, and adjustable meansassociated with said member for urging the nonmetallic means in strikerengaging position.

6. In combination, a control for a telephone subscribers set including ahousing, said subscribers set including a ringer system embodying amovable bell striker, a supporting means carried by said housing, amember carried on said supporting means and relatively movable withrespect thereto; a non-metallic element associated with said member andhaving a recess formed therein arranged to receive and retain saidstriker to hold the latter in non-ringing position, manipulating meansconnected to said member and accessible exteriorly of said housing foractuating said member to ringing or non-ringing position, and springmeans cooperatively associated with said member for resiliently holdingthe same in ringing or non-ringing position.

7. In combination, a control for a telephone subscribers set including ahousing, said subscribers set including a ringer system embodying amovable striker, a supporting means carried by said housing, a membercarried on said supporting means and arranged for longitudinal movementwith respect thereto; a non-metallic element carried by said member andhaving a recess arranged to engage and receive said striker to hold thelatter in non-ringing position, manipulating means associated with saidmember and accessible exteriorly of said housing for moving said memberto ringing or non-ringin position, and a spring cooperatively associatedwith said member for resiliently holding the same in ringing ornon-ringing position.

8. In combination, a control for a telephone subscribers set including ahousing, said subscribers set including a ringer system embodying amovable bell striker, a supporting member carried by said housing, alever member pivoted upon said supporting member, a non-metallic elementcarried by said member and having a frustoconical recess arranged toengage and receive said striker to hold the latter in non-ringingposition, said lever member having a portion projecting exteriorly ofsaid housing for manual actuation of said member to ringing ornon-ringing positions.

9. In combination, a control for the ringer device of a telephonesubscribers set including a housing, said ringer device embodying amovable bell striker, a fitting carried by said housing and having abore therein, a cylindrical member slidably mounted in the bore in saidfitting; an element carried by said cylindrical member and having arecess therein, manipulating means for said cylindrical member wherebythe latter may be moved to engage the bell striker in the recess in saidelement, said cylindrical member having a plurality of circumferentialgrooves, and means selectively engageable in said grooves to hold saidcylindrical member in selected positions.

10. In combination, a control for the ringer device of a telephonesubscribers set including a housing, said ringer device embodying amovable bell striker, a fitting carried by said housing and having abore therein, a cylindrical member slidably mounted in the bore in saidfitting; a nonmetallic element carried by said cylindrical member andhaving a recess therein, manipulating means for said cylindrical memberwhereby the latter may be moved to engage the bell striker in the recessin said non-metallic element, said cylindrical member having a pluralityof circumferential grooves, and resiliently urged means selectivelyengageable in said grooves to hold said cylindrical member in selectedpositions.

11. In combination, a control for the ringer device of a telephonesubscribers set including a housing, said ringer device embodying amovable bell striker, a fitting carried'by the Wall of said housing,said fitting having a bore therein, a sleeve mounted in the bore in thefitting, a cylindrical member contained with said sleeve, manipulatingmeans carried by said sleeve, means interconnecting said sleeve andcylindrical member whereby rotation of said manipulating means causeslongitudinal movement of said cylindrical member, and means carried bysaid cylindrical member for engagement or disengagement with the movablebell striker through rotation of said manipulating means.

12. In combination, a control for the ringer device of a telephonesubscribers set including a. housing, said ringer device embodying amovable bell striker, a fitting carried by the wall of said housing,said fitting having a bore therein, a sleeve mounted in the bore in thefitting, a cylindrical member contained with said sleeve, said sleevehaving a spiral slot therein, a pin carried by said cylindrical memberand arranged for cooperation in the slot in said sleeve, manipulatingmeans carried by said sleeve for rotating the same; and means carried bysaid cylindrical member for engagement or disengagement with the movablebell striker through rotation of said manipulating means.

CLEON M. HANNAFORD.

